Police hunt for Intl drug baron

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March 22, 2015

Fayaz Bukhari

Srinagar, Mar 21: Jammu and Kashmir Police is seeking help from Central agencies to nab international drug baron Harjinder Singh alias Happy Singh of Punjab who is wanted by police for running an international drug trafficking racket through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad trans-Line of Control (LOC) trade route.
The two major consignments of drugs that were recovered from Pakistani trucks in Uri during past one year were meant for Harjinder Singh. He is absconder in the police records of Punjab Police and in Chandigarh where he has shifted from Amritsar and is untraceable.
A team of Jammu and Kashmir Police went twice to Punjab and Chandigarh last month to arrest Singh but couldn’t get him. Last year as well, police teams went to Amritsar twice in search of Singh but failed to nab him.
Last month on February 6, 305 packets of brown sugar were recovered from a Pakistani truck bearing registration number P-9627 during its search at Salamabad Uri in North Kashmir.
Pakistani driver, Syed Inayat Hussain Shah, resident of Kumikote Muzaffarabad from whose truck drugs were recovered was arrested and so were three traders – Zahoor Ahmad Mala, Abdul Majeed Shala and Mohammad Yusuf Dar- for whom the consignment of oranges was meant.
After initial questioning of the three traders it revealed that the drugs were meant for Harjinder Singh and when a police party went to Punjab to look for him they could not trace him out.
Earlier last year in January, Police had seized 114 packets of brown sugar from a truck (RIS-2137) driven by Mohammad Shafiq of Sarwar Muzaffarabad in Salamabad Uri. The 114 kilogrammes brown sugar that was recovered was worth Rs 115 crore.
The inquiry into the seizure of the drug haul found that the consignment was meant for Harjinder Singh. Police believes that Harjinder Singh’s arrest can solve the two cases that has international link.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG), North Kashmir, Gareeb Dass told Excelsior that Harjinder Singh is the kingpin of this drug trafficking gang. “His arrest is vital for breaking this link. Our efforts are on to arrest him. We are seeking help from Central agencies as well”, he said.
Dass said that police is also looking into modus operandi of some of the traders who indulge in such kind of criminal activities. He said that the oranges that came in a Pakistani truck from which brown sugar was recovered last month were to be delivered in Punjab where there is no market for oranges. “The market of oranges is till Jammu only and we got suspicious about this consignment of oranges being sent to Punjab. It was one of the reasons that we became suspicious about this truck”, he added.

Ultras want to boost morale: DM

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

NEW DELHI, Mar 21:
The two back to back terror attacks in Jammu is an attempt by the militants to boost their morale which has come down due to the Army operations, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said.
“When the morale of the opponents are down, they make such attempts to boost it,” Parrikar said replying to questions about the attack by militants in Jammu and Kashmir today.
Stating that the International Border has many “nallas”, he said at times it is difficult to man the area completely. The IB comes under the purview of the BSF.
Giving figures, Parrikar said that about 26 militants have been killed this year by the Army with only one loss from its side.
He said this proves that the Army was doing better and that intelligence has also improved.
Terror had again struck Jammu today where militants opened fire at an Army camp on Jammu-Pathankot Highway in Samba district.
Parrikar said the two terrorists have been killed.
Yesterday,’fidayeen’ militants in army fatigues had stormed into police station in Kathua, killing three security personnel and two civilians, and leaving 11 others including DySP wounded.
Two militants were also killed in the gun battle. (PTI)

Two injured in road accidents

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Two persons were injured today in separate road mishaps in city and its outskirts.
According to a police spokesperson, a 12-year old girl identified as Muskan daughter of Leafius, a resident of Christian Colony, Jammu was injured, when the bike on which she was travelling with his father was hit by a car at Residency Road.
In Prem Nagar area of Miran Sahib, a pedestrian identified as Tilak Raj (80) son of Devi Dayal, a resident of Prem Nagar in Miran Sahib was hit and injured by a scooty.
Both the injured were shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu for treatment.
In both cases, the concerned police have taken cognizance.

Sajad for adopting modern technology, scientific methods for white revolution

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

Excelsior Correspondent

Minister for Animal Husbandry Sajad Lone chairing a meeting at Jammu on Saturday.

JAMMU, Mar 21: Minister for Science & Technology and Animal Husbandry, Sajad Gani Lone said that the Government will encourage farmers engaged in cattle rearing for attaining high-quality livestock to fetch attractive returns.
This was stated by the Minister while reviewing the overall functioning of Animal Husbandry Department at an officers meeting held here today.
MLA Kupwara Bashir Ahmad Dar was also present in the meeting.
Commissioner Secretary, Animal Husbandry Ashok Parmar briefed the Minister about the functioning of the department.
The Minister said that cattle farming is the support of the State’s economy and all efforts will be made to promote this vital sector. The Minister asserted that in the present era of competition in the market, quality control is must and we have to focus on this vital area to maintain the credibility of state’s livestock.
The Minister while enquiring from officers about the functioning of their respective wings asked them to furnish the requirements, if any to the ministry so that these requirement are fulfilled to enhance the working capabilities of the organization.
He also said that all ranks of the force form the Organization and every member of the Organization has to work with dedication making public service their motive.
The Minister called upon the authorities concerned to come up with the innovative ideas and plans for growth of Animal Husbandry sector in the State.
Terming development of livestock sector as priority of the Government, the Minister said that various schemes have been introduced to promote the sector and need of the hour is to implement these schemes strictly for the benefit of farmers.
Emphasising for strengthening of high breed cattle’s, Mr Sajad asked the officers to work with more dedication and zeal to make department more vibrant. He asked them to adopt modern technology and scientific methods to maximize livestock population for bringing white revolution in the State. The Minister also enjoined upon the officers for making farmers aware about latest techniques and methods of cattle and sheep rearing.
Directors of Animal Husbandry Kashmir/Jammu, Director Fisheries, Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, MD Sheep and Sheep Products Development Board were among others present in the meeting.

Kichloo meets agitating temporary teachers

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Former Minister and senior NC leader Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo (MLC) met the agitating contractual/ temporary teachers sitting on hunger strike outside Press Club of Jammu here.
The former Minister joined the agitating teachers and also spent some time with them. He also offered juice to a few of them whose condition had deteriorated. The NC leader assured them to take up their issue in the Legislature and also personally take up with the Education Minister Naeem Akhtar.
Mr Kichloo pointed out that nearly 8700 temporary teachers were engaged by the previous coalition Government during August-September 2014, to run the schools. He said with the regularization of many ReT teachers many schools especially in rural faced acute shortage of teachers. In order to make these schools functional a Cabinet decision was taken in August last year and after inviting applications, these teachers were engaged under academic arrangements. Most of them are highly qualified and were selected on merit. Now throwing them out is most injustice with them. He demanded that these teachers be regularized by adopting some frame work as done in case of ReTs.
Many of them are going to be over aged. Government should consider their case sympathetically, he added.

Shat Chandi Maha Yagya commences at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

Excelsior Correspondent

A view of holy cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji at Trikuta Hills in Katra on first Navratra.

JAMMU, Mar 21: Shat Chandi Maha Yagya organized by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) at the holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji commenced today on the auspicious occasion of beginning of Navratras amidst chanting of Vedic Mantras and performance of other religious ceremonies.
The Maha Yagya, which is performed at the shrine during Navratras for peace and prosperity, will conclude with Purna Ahuti on Ramnavami.
Dr MK Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Dr MK Kumar, Additional CEO, Neeraj Gupta, Chief Accounts Officer, SMVDSB, Ranjeet Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Bhawan, Sandeep Kumar, Tehsildar Bhawan, Onkar Singh, Manager Bhawan, other officers of the Shrine Board and a large number of pilgrims were present on the occasion.
The Bhawan, Atka and the area surrounding it have been tastefully decorated with flowers. The Shrine Board has made elaborate arrangements for the large number of pilgrims expected to visit the shrine during Navratras. These arrangements included ensuring sufficient water and uninterrupted power supply along the track leading to the shrine, sanitation and availability of special “fast related” food at the Bhojanalayas.
The CEO took stock of the arrangements put in place from Katra to Bhawan for the pilgrims. Accompanied by officers and engineers of the Shrine Board he also took physical on-spot review of the ongoing development works in the Bhawan area undertaken by the Shrine Board.

Zulfkar expresses concern over delay in distribution of ration, issues directions

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and Tribal Affairs, Ch. Zulfkar Ali today visited Narwal to inspect progress of ongoing construction work on building of Legal Metrology Department (LMD) besides inspecting the functional department office in Jammu.
The Minister was accompanied by Secretary CAPD, Vice Chairman, JDA Director CAPD, Superintending Engineer, Housing and Urban Development Department, Joint Controller, Deputy Controller Legal Metrology, and other senior officers of concerned department.
Directing for expediting the construction work, the Minister asked the executing agency for ensuring its completion before June this year as it will facilitate in maintaining quality of essentials.
Interacting with the LMD officers, the Minister asked them to effectively enforce accuracies in weight and measures, during various commercial and industrial transactions, to ensure that the consumers get due value of the money they spent.
He also stressed for periodical verification and stamping of meters in Auto-rickshaws and   Taxis.
Earlier, the Minister visited the land identified for construction of directorate of consumer Affairs and Public Distribution   at Channi Ramma
Later, the Minister convened a meeting of officers to review functioning of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department.
He was apprised about stock position staff strength, distribution status besides details of BPL, APL   families in Jammu division.
Expressing concern over delay in distribution of ration, the Minister directed the concerned officers to prepare a calendar of activities on monthly basis   depicting the dates for lifting , stocking and distribution of ration to consumers. He further stressed on the need for evolving a proper strategy for ensuring uniform scale of ration distribution as per need of area.
The district officers were asked to conduct a survey of areas with no fair price shops and having population of more than 250 for establishment of new shops. He also instructed for installation of digital weighing machine at all fair price shops.
Reviewing the position of LPG connections in rural areas, the Minister directed the officers to ensure that all needy and deserving beneficiaries are given priority while issuing new connections.
Underscoring the need for efficient working and delivery of services on ground, the Minister said that there should be a visible change felt by the common people with regard to the overall functioning of the department.
The Minister called for stern action against those dealers who violate the prescribed norms and directed officers to conduct regular market checking to monitor rates and quality of essential commodities.

Greater accessibility catchword for promotion of new tourist destinations: Mufti

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed chairing a meeting at Jammu on Saturday.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Describing tourism as one of the most rapidly-growing sectors in the world and backbone of J&K’s economy, the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called for harnessing the tourism potential of the State by providing greater accessibility to new destinations and creating high-end infrastructure at existing ones so that a new class of visitors is attracted to the State.
The Chief Minister said this while taking a detailed review of the functioning of Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs) of Kashmir and J&K Cable Car Corporation here today. MD, J&K SCCC and CEOs of Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Yusmarg, Aharbal, Verinag, Kokernag and Lolab TDAs gave power-point presentations to the Chief Minister on the functioning of their respective departments.
Unveiling his strategy for the next six years for increasing footfall of visitors to the State from other parts of the country and abroad, the Chief Minister took a series of decisions which include laying of golf courses at Sonamarg and Yusmarg, commencement of work on Ashmuqam Cable Car Project and Jammu Ropeway by removing bottlenecks, preparation of feasibility report of Cable Car Project at Yusmarg and outsourcing accommodation and sanitation in respect of all Tourism Development Authorities of the State. He also issued immediate instructions to CEOs of Gulmarg and Pahalgam TDAs to take over administrative control of their respective golf courses.
Describing accessibility as the catchword for exploiting the rich potential of leisure, adventure, pilgrim and heritage tourism in the State, the Chief Minister said aggressive marketing is the need of the hour at the national and international levels to promote J&K as an ideal tourist destination.
Laying great emphasis on keeping the health resorts neat and clean and ensuring regular power and water supply in the jurisdictions of all Development Authorities, the Chief Minister called for adopting the Ring-and-Cluster Approach in construction of tourist accommodation at all the resorts without disturbing the Bowls and the surrounding environment. “We will talk to the Forest Department for a more coordinated effort in increasing the carrying capacity at these resorts,” he said and added that amusement parks, which are a major attraction for children, along with other connected paraphernalia should also be created to increase the flow of tourists.
The Chief Minister issued immediate directions to major Tourism Development Authorities for procuring garbage dumpers to address the issue of piling of waste within the Resort Bowls for its proper scientific disposal. Expressing concern over establishment of TRCs even at places where flow of tourists is very low, the Chief Minister asked all CEOs to concentrate on focusing and developing a “Single Destination Concept” in their Development Authorities.
The Chief Minister asked the Commissioner/Secretary Tourism to provide a dedicated uninterrupted power supply to the Pahalgam resort by de-linking it from the main grid so that people visiting the place are not deprived from this basic necessity. “This will also facilitate the pilgrims who visit the place during the Amarnath Yatra,” he said while calling for immediate outsourcing of Pahalgam Shopping Complex comprising 80 shops.
The Chief Minister stated that he will take a review of Jammu-based Tourism Development Authorities later this month.
Principal Secretary, Planning & Development, B. R. Sharma, Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Shailendra Kumar, MD, JKTDC, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioners of Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara and Kulgam, besides the CEOs of Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Yusmarg, Aharbal, Kokernag, Verinag and Lolab-Bangus Development Authorities attended the meeting.

Bukhari takes stock of Law Deptt Library

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Highlighting the importance of updating and upgrading departmental libraries, the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari underscored that libraries are sources of rich and diverse information and need to be preserved and kept updated.
The Minister said this while taking stock of the library of Law Department in the Civil Secretariat here today. He was accompanied by Law Secretary Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Director Estates G. N. Itoo besides other officers of the Law Department.
The Minister was informed that the library has over 21000 books and other material including journals etc. The Minister took a round of the library and took stock of the ambience and condition of the books. He asked the Director Estates to immediately initiate the process for the extension of the library to increase its space.
The Minister said that in order to improve the present condition of the library, a good model from any of the best libraries in the country can be used to develop it according to the modern setup.
He said that there is need to take steps to modernise the library including its computerisation, internet facility, maintaining a proper inventory, enhancing manpower, and improving the overall ambience. The Minister said, being a reference library, it should be equipped with latest books, relevant journals and other material.
Bukhari said, this library is a source of reference for various officers of the Law Deptt including law officers, law assistants etc and needs to be kept updated on regular basis with latest legal volumes, journals and other relevant material.
Later, the Minister also visited the clerical hall of the Law Deptt and took stock of the working conditions there. He asked the Director Estates to provide all the facilities in the hall as the employees need to be made comfortable as they need to work long hours especially in view of the ongoing legislature session.

Symposium on rural drinking water, sanitation held

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Daily Excelsior

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March 22, 2015

Excelsior Correspondent

Winners of symposium along with the dignitaries at Government Higher Secondary School (Girls) in Bhaderwah.

DODA, Mar 21: To create awareness in the villages across India on issues pertaining to Rural drinking water & sanitation, a symposium to aware the general masses about the best practices to be adopted for safe rural drinking water & sanitation, was organized by Tehsil Information Centre Bhaderwah at Government Higher Secondary School (Girls), Bhaderwah.
Tehsildar Bhaderwah, Bashir-ul-Hassan was the chief guest on the occasion, while Principal Govt. Higher secondary school girls Bhaderwah, Senior lecturers and teachers participated in the symposium.
Six students participated in the contest among which Shifali Kotwal of Class 10th bagged the 1st position while as Saika Sheikh and Ridha Fatima both of class 10th were adjudged 2nd and 3rd respectively.
While addressing the participants, Tehsildar Bhaderwah informed that Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India has launched a National Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation awareness week across the country from March 16 to March 22, 2015.
He said, this symposium is one of the efforts of District Administration Doda to inculcate the safe Drinking water and sanitations habits among the common masses. He also elaborated in detail the various technicalities associated with the testing, treatment, storage and supply of drinking water in the area.
Senior lecturers highlighted the benefits of sanitation and as to how the sanitation results in the availability of safe drinking water.